Luke will never allow Robin to follow in his footsteps, and director Arthur Ripley ensures this humanity seeps deep into the character's psyche. And of course, he casually keeps both Roxanne and Francie interested without commiting.īut Luke also knows his fast life has significant risks and limits, and his only soft spot is for younger brother Robin. He effortlessly dominates the screen whether racing down the highway, confronting government agents, standing up to Kogan and his goons, showing other transporters who's boss, or belittling the assorted riffraff on the edges of his high speed profession. As Luke Doolin, Mitchum cruises through the action with irresistible anti-authoritarian cool and a trademark dangling cigarette. Barrett reaches out to Luke, offering to work together to stop Kogan, but Luke does not like making deals with anyone.īased on Robert Mitchum's story idea, Thunder Road benefits from the star's magnetic presence. When they refuse Kogan resorts to violence. Local girl Roxanne (Sandra Knight) and Memphis chanteuse Francie (Keely Smith) are the two women in Luke's life.Ĭrooked businessman Kogan (Jacques Aubuchon) moves into the area and tries to intimidate all the Harlan County moonshiners into working for him. Luke drives souped-up vehicles prepared by his brother Robin (James Mitchum, Robert's son) to stay ahead of government enforcement efforts led by agent Troy Barrett (Gene Barry). In rural Harlan County, Kentucky, Luke Doolin ( Robert Mitchum) is a Korean War veteran now working as a transporter, delivering hidden moonshine shipments to Memphis. A drama and crime thriller about the moonshine business, Thunder Road overcomes budget limitations with star power, a sympathetic perspective, and gritty action.
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